Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 439

He stood frozen in disbelief, eyes wide with confusion-and an odd flicker of heartbreak. His arms hung stiffly in the air, as if unsure what to do.

"Orion's little sister?" he echoed, incredulous.

Claire lifted her head from his chest. Her eyes and nose were crimson from crying, and her face was streaked with tears. She looked heartbreakingly small and vulnerable.

She gazed up at Sean's young face, almost hungrily, as if she was trying to memorize every detail, to etch his features into her heart forever.

In her past life, it had all been her fault. She'd insisted on going into the mountains

to witness Vanessa's tragedy for herself, and because of that, Mr. Foster's legs were crushed by falling rocks. She'd died too soon, never living to see him walk again.

If Mr. Foster's legs could never heal because of her, that pain would be worse than death itself.

Mr. Foster had always treated her with such kindness. She couldn't even bear to imagine how devastated he must have been when he'd found her lifeless body.

The thought made Claire sob even harder. Through her tears, she choked out, "Mr. Foster, I missed you so much... I really, really missed you...'

Her grief overwhelmed her, and she clung to Sean's waist with desperate strength, as if letting go would make him vanish before her eyes.

Sean, who was always so stoic and reserved, suddenly looked completely lost. "D-Don't... don't cry," he stammered.

up with small hands to wipe her

anyone had hugged him

time a child had ever said

if so, why did seeing him

so clever-was

away Claire's tears, but more kept streaming down, no matter how many

won't ever leave you again. I won't let you

didn't quite understand what she was saying. All he wanted was for her to

year by year. But watching the little girl in front of him sob until she couldn't catch her

and filled with an ache he couldn't

but just then, Orion's angry shout rang out: “Sean, what are

rushed over and shoved Sean

arms.

why are you picking on my

Claire slipped from his grasp, Sean felt oddly empty

replaced by his usual cold mask as he faced Orion. "I

"If you weren't, then why is my

no idea

won't answer, it must mean you did something!"

and Zachary exchanged confused

out of Orion's embrace. "He didn't do anything to me," she said, her